Are you interested in making a career shift to instructional design?

With the growing demand for e-learning and corporate training, instructional design has become a great option if you want to combine creativity, technology, and education.

Whether you’re coming from teaching, corporate training, or another profession, transitioning to instructional design is achievable with the right plan and resources.

Here’s an eight-step guide to help you make the transition.

Step 1. Understand the Role of an Instructional Designer

Before diving into a career transition, it’s essential to have a solid understanding of what instructional designers do.

Instructional designers are responsible for creating learning experiences that help people acquire new skills and knowledge.

They use a mix of learning theories, technology, and design principles to create courses, training materials, and e-learning modules that engage and educate.

Key Responsibilities of Instructional Designers

• Conducting needs assessments to identify learning objectives
  
• Designing course content, including presentations, videos, quizzes, and interactive activities
• Working with subject matter experts (SMEs) to develop accurate and relevant content
• Using e-learning authoring tools and learning management systems (LMS) to build and deliver courses
• Collecting feedback and analyzing course data to make improvements

Familiarizing yourself with these responsibilities helps you understand the skills you’ll need to develop to be successful in the field.

Step 2. Identify Your Transferable Skills

One of the best ways to approach a career transition is to assess the skills you already have that are relevant to instructional design.

Many professionals have transferable skills that make the switch to instructional design easier.

Transferable Skills from Teaching, Training, and Related Fields

• Curriculum Planning: If you’ve worked in education or training, experience in lesson planning and curriculum development is highly applicable.
  
  
• Communication Skills: Instructional designers must explain complex concepts in simple terms, so strong written and verbal communication skills are essential.
  
  
• Project Management: If you’ve managed projects, handled timelines, or coordinated with teams, these skills are crucial for instructional design, where projects often involve multiple stakeholders.
  
  
• Technical Aptitude: Any experience with technology, multimedia, or content creation tools will be beneficial in learning to use authoring tools and LMS platforms.
  
  

Why It Matters

Identifying your transferable skills allows you to focus on areas where you’re already strong, making it easier to start developing your instructional design skill set.

Step 3. Gain Practical Knowledge of Instructional Design Theories and Models

To excel in instructional design, it’s essential to understand learning theories and instructional design models. Familiarity with these frameworks will help you create courses that are not only engaging but also grounded in effective teaching practices.

Key Theories and Models to Study

• ADDIE Model: The most commonly used instructional design model, which stands for Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, Evaluate.
  
  
• Bloom’s Taxonomy: A hierarchy of learning objectives that instructional designers use to develop measurable learning goals.
  
  
• Gagné’s Nine Events of Instruction: A set of steps that help guide the learning process.
  
  
• Adult Learning Theory: Also known as andragogy, this theory focuses on the unique needs of adult learners.

How to Learn

Consider enrolling in an instructional design certificate program, like the E-Learning Instructional Design Certificate from Oregon State University, to gain structured learning on these models.

Explore free online resources and books on instructional design, such as "The Systematic Design of Instruction" by Dick, Carey, and Carey, or "Design for How People Learn" by Julie Dirksen.

Why It Matters

A strong understanding of instructional design theories enables you to build learning experiences that are effective and grounded in best practices.

Step 4. Develop Technical Skills with Essential Instructional Design Tools

E-learning instructional design relies on a variety of software and tools to create and deliver content.

Knowing how to use popular authoring tools, graphic design programs, and LMS platforms can make you more attractive to potential employers. 

Below is a brief list of tools, and we also have a robust post titled "What Software and Tools Should I Learn to Become an Instructional Designer" that covers all the main tools.

Key Tools to Learn

• Authoring Tools: Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, and Rise 360 for creating e-learning content.
  
  
• Graphic and Video Editing Software: Adobe Photoshop, Canva, Camtasia, or Vyond to create visuals, edit videos, and enhance multimedia content.
  
  
• LMS Platforms: Gain familiarity with systems like Moodle, Canvas, and TalentLMS for organizing, tracking, and delivering online courses.
  
  
• Project Management Tools: Trello, Asana, or Microsoft Teams for organizing tasks, collaborating with team members, and managing timelines.
  
  

How to Get Started

Experiment with free trials of popular tools or find introductory tutorials on platforms like YouTube or LinkedIn Learning.

Consider completing a certificate program that offers hands-on experience with these tools, which provides practical knowledge that’s immediately applicable to real-world projects.

Why It Matters

Mastering these tools will help you create professional, interactive, and visually engaging courses that meet the standards of today’s instructional design industry.

Step 5. Build a Portfolio of Instructional Design Projects

A portfolio is essential for showcasing your skills as an instructional designer.

Potential employers and clients want to see examples of your work to understand your design style, technical ability, and knowledge of instructional design principles.

What to Include in Your Portfolio

• E-Learning Modules: Create a sample e-learning course using an authoring tool like Articulate Storyline. Include interactive elements, quizzes, and assessments to showcase your skills.
  
  
• Storyboards and Course Outlines: Demonstrate your planning skills by including storyboards or course outlines that show your process.
  
  
• Multimedia Elements: Include examples of videos, graphics, or animations you’ve created to highlight your multimedia design skills.
  
  
• Project Case Studies: Write brief descriptions of the projects you worked on, including the instructional design principles and tools you used.
  
  

How to Build Your Portfolio

Start with small projects or volunteer to help friends or colleagues create training materials. Use assignments from an instructional design course to populate your portfolio with real-world projects.

Consider publishing your work on portfolio websites like Behance or using a personal website to showcase your skills.

Why It Matters

A portfolio helps you stand out to hiring managers by demonstrating your ability to apply instructional design concepts in real-world scenarios.

Step 6. Network and Connect with Other Instructional Designers

Networking is invaluable when transitioning to a new career. Building connections within the instructional design community can open doors to job opportunities, mentorship, and valuable advice.

Where to Network

• LinkedIn: Follow instructional design groups, connect with professionals, and participate in discussions.
  
  
• Professional Organizations: Join organizations like the Association for Talent Development (ATD) or eLearning Guild to access events, webinars, and networking opportunities.
  
  
• Social Media Groups: Many instructional designers connect on Facebook groups, Reddit, and instructional design subgroups where they share resources and job leads.
  
  

Why It Matters

Networking helps you stay informed about the latest trends, job openings, and tools in instructional design, making your transition smoother and more successful.

Step 7. Gain Practical Experience Through Freelance or Contract Work

Freelance or contract work is an excellent way to build experience, especially when transitioning from another field.

Many instructional designers start by taking on small projects to gain hands-on experience and build their portfolios.

Types of Projects to Look For

• Creating Online Courses: Many companies hire freelancers to develop training materials, videos, and online courses.
  
  
• Corporate Training Modules: Reach out to local businesses to see if they need help with employee training materials.
  
  
• E-Learning Content Development: Look for project-based work on freelance platforms like Upwork or Freelancer.
  
  

Why It Matters

Practical experience will make you more marketable to employers and give you valuable insight into the demands of the field, building your confidence as you transition to a full-time instructional design role.

Step  8. Apply for Instructional Design Positions

Once you’ve developed your skills, built a portfolio, and gained some experience, it’s time to start applying for jobs.

Many organizations, including universities, corporations, and nonprofits, look for instructional designers to create effective training and e-learning materials.

Where to Find Instructional Design Jobs

• Job Boards: Check job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn Jobs, and Glassdoor.
  
  
• Company Websites: Many large companies have instructional design roles listed on their own career pages.
  
  
• Freelance Platforms: Websites like Upwork and Fiverr offer freelance and contract instructional design work.
  
  

We also have a full post titled  "How Do I Find My First Instructional Design Job or Freelance Gig?" that goes deeper into tips for finding your first job.

Tips for Applying

Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your instructional design skills and relevant experience. Include links to your portfolio to showcase your projects and skills.

Be prepared to discuss specific instructional design theories, tools, and processes you’ve used in past projects.

Why It Matters

Applying for roles that match your skills and interests will help you transition smoothly into a career in instructional design, setting you up for long-term success.

Conclusion: Transitioning to a Career in Instructional Design

Transitioning to instructional design is an exciting journey that combines creativity, education, and technology.

By developing the right skills, building a portfolio, and gaining practical experience, you can successfully make the switch and find rewarding opportunities in this in-demand field.

If you’re ready to accelerate your transition, consider enrolling in a structured program like the E-Learning Instructional Design Certificate from Oregon State University.

This type of program offers hands-on training and insights into industry-standard tools and practices, helping you build the foundation you need to thrive in instructional design.

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